F-Stop Junkie

You don't always know trials news, you know trials rumour and gossip, which is taken as fact. Not always, but sometimes. The point of magazines and news websites is not ultimately about the latest news - because they come under casual embargos more often than not - but about fact, research and ultimately becoming a dependable source of information, rather than going on what TF thinks. Maybe you've read it before MBUK, but HipHop carries good news, and trialsworld has better event reports and photography than you will find on TF.

I don't mind people being homophobes, as long as the do it behind closed doors, and it doesn't hurt anyone...

But why call them queers? Are you saying that gay people are grumpy fools? That 'queers' are idiots? Really not needed. EDIT: In my time I've been involved in all sorts of cycling, and I've seen the same thing from all different angles. The downhillers think the XC riders are uptight, the XC riders think the downhillers are looneys who muck about, etc, etc... I remember - way back when - when mountain bikers hated ramblers, because they thought they just whinged and tried to stop access for bikes. Then one day when I was walking down the street, some guy on a bike comes whizzing past me, and doesn't leave a lot of room between me and him. I thought he wasn't very considerate, but then at the same time I knew what that move looked like on the bike, and as far as he was concerned, there was probably loads of room. From the outside, it's hard to tell who are keen cyclists, and who are yobs who own bikes. For the roadie making observations, anyone with a BMX is classed together. You either have to rise above it, or try and educate. Flinging muck and names about doesn't help anyone.

It's nice to know this is an open minded forum, full of acceptance for all forms of cycling, and not home to homophobes and closed-minded idiots. Chris

Back in the day, the Mavic 121 was THE rim, but the Ashton-philes/Norco wannabies went with the Sun Rhyno Lite, especially in red with a brushed sidewall. When the D521 came along, it was also around the time that the X-Lite Phatso and Planet-X BMF brought the Alex DX-32 to the masses. The only time they'd been seen, was when someone had managed to find one in an odd catalogue, or imported them from Goatwheels. I'd say that the components that really made a difference - either to improve components we now use, or that we still use - on top of those already mentioned should include the IRC El-Gato as really moving on the tyre game into trials specific territory, until the Michelin Comp 24, then Hot-S came along. I'd also say the rise of Koxx has really made a difference. In a short space of time they've brought a whole new range of components and frame designs, plus they keep pumping out new bits (not to mention frame designs!). Onza I would say too have pushed the market. Again, not only through sheer quantity of new designs, but through really introducing value for money. Finally, on a slight tangent, I'd say for UK riders, nothing made as much of a difference to the trials world we inhabit than Brian Matthews. He really built so much of what we have now to enjoy.

Monty 221 20" Silver, 2004 - but BRAND NEW stolen from the World Champs. Keep your eyes open if you're offered anything around North Yorks. This bike is BRAND NEW even though it's an old model.

I've been starting getting coverage for the event, and here's Waynio's moment of glory with the BBC! BBC North Yorkshire sport front page BBC Biketrials coverage

Crop! Not just resize, get rid of that wasted space...

Damn right! Expect a whole glut of shots, God knows what I'm going to do with them all though!

Ladies and Gents, I've now managed to wangle more space for my gallery (http://www.photoboxgallery.com/S7Photo) so I've now put the Round 1 photos from Brimham Rocks up, as well as the new shots from Devon! There should have been more shots from Devon, but my day was cut short with camera problems, which eventually ended up with a smashed flashgun mount, another repair bill, bruised knee and aching back. There are more shots from all three events, but due to copyright issues, any printed - or submitted - to magazines for publication will not appear in my gallery. However... if you're interested in a photo that you've seen before but is no longer there, drop me a PM. Enjoy my gallery @ http://www.photoboxgallery.com/S7Photo BTW, if you look right now, the Rnd 1 photos are just uploading, so check back as more will appear in the next hour or so! Chris

That 'tool' being the barb fitting tool, or two pieces of nylon with a groove in the middle? Any magura dealer can get them.

Nick isn't loud, and he doesn't draw attention to himself, his riding does the talking, and more people are starting to listen... Unprofound professionalism? There's a phrase I didn't think I'd ever hear! Tim, get the bike out, and I'll get some proper shots of you then!

Yup, they're next on my to do list!

Yes, I have some from round 1 too, but there are issues of disk space in getting them all up. I am working on this though. As soon as I can, I'll post the lot.

Cheers Joe, things are good, but I think sales will go up when I do a small exhibition of my work at the end of the year at Hookwoods!

Hey peeps, here's the latest lot of snaps from the Nationals. Enjoy http://www.photoboxgallery.com/S7Photo

When I got mine, I wasn't expecting any difference in strength. If you twat it into ledges and whathaveyou, you will bend it. Get used to bending it back. One thing I noticed with my Leeson rotor though was that it would dig into logs and stuff when I was riding natural and stop it from bending. Very impressed. Also, the rotor did improve the brake performance.

Sorry, but it is just a really bad pic. I'd press delete, and not look back...

BTW, there is a reader survey in this month's trialsworld. Please big up the Biketrials section and show support, who knows, if that happens we may get more space! Plus you could win a lifetime subscription!

That was the best shot I got that day, at least that wasn't arty-blurry stuff. Glad you guys like, can't wait to buy a copy myself!

If you underexpose, then use fill flash, then you'll probably end up with a generally underexposed image. If you get a high enough flash output with an underexposed background then it looks unreal. The difference should be about two stops. It's a bit like Canon's flash metering system which if you hit the active focus point will underexpose the background slightly too much for my liking. Speaking of optical slaves, these also don't work with some flash systems - again, like Canon - which use a pre-flash, and the slave would be triggered before the exposure. Wireless systems are a better bet, radio triggers better still, but not cheap!

I can't speak for Chris, but I'm sure he'll say you've got to buy Andy separately.

Bottom line is that the mini will probably rub. The old calipers had return springs to pull the pads back, but the newer ones rely simply on the pads being knocked back into place by the disc as it rotates, hence it will rub as it is designed to do so. I know some don't, but they're the lucky ones...

The downtube just said WHATEVER! Doesn't take much to work it out though...

There are other print sizes at different prices if you click on the drop down menu....